whistling ninjakitty

So much for that Troll Baby I’ve been talking about for umpteen years, our little Orlando is so beautiful I can hardly believe he’s my baby! I was expecting to love a squishy lopsided little thing, and here I have a Very Handsome Man on my hands. I should have believed his Gramma when she said the Domroeses make beautiful babies. I could have named him Alessandro after all.

Good looks aren’t the only thing he’s inherited from his Dadda and Grandpa – he’s also a night owl. Somehow 2am is ‘playtime’ according to ‘lando. He’s also remarkably strong, an excellent listener, and not fond of the cold. Just like his Dadda, I go all gooey whenever I look at him.

There’s a lot more to being un-pregnant than I imagined. In my ignorance I didn’t think that I’d need to give my body a chance to put all the bits back in the right spot before I could go about being a tweaker. There’s so much I want to do! Thank goodness no one is trying to put me in bed with a cup of tea – they might get hurt! Although, a cup of tea would be nice. Thanks Bri. I’m in very good hands.

Orlando earnt his first nickname on our first day at home. True to his Cinese Zodiac sign of the (fire) Pig, he makes snuffly piggy noises whenever he is having a cuddle or looking for a snack. We had been using the term “gub” to mean scarfing a whole packet of biscuits etc., and so our little piggy became The Gub’nor. When not officiating Matters Of State, The Gub’nor prefers to take his tea in the Parlour – or beside the fireplace at Edge Delicatessen where he can meet with his public.

Today we had a visit from the Director of the Ministry for Accelerated Development – Miss Lilith, 8 months old. We were able to share all our best toys. The Pirate Squeak continues to be quite popular with the cabinet members (thank you Deborah, Mark & Dash!).

Orlando Luka Domroese joined the party at 7pm on the 19th of June!

Proud, brave Mummy Aurelia was 5 minutes down the road after her Acupuncture appointment, when POP! her waters broke. She got home just before lunch with swirlies in her eyes + we knew it was time. . .

All of our midwives were OUT @_@ but we rocked up at the hospital anyway. Everyone wanted to give us a wheelchair, but no, “we gonna walk this off!” I filled out the paperworks + went up lifts we had never used before and discovered that yes, the hospital is a maze. ‘relia nabbed a childrens’ ward nurse who led us past the Minotaur + the retinal scan to the safety of the Birthing Centre. There we were met by Phillys, part of our midwife team, whom we had not met before. She let us settle into our suite + then went about looking for proof of broken waters. She seemed a bit nervous. Aurelia continued to have contractions, I timed them, about 7 minutes apart. ‘relia was a bit intense O_O

Eventually Phillys seemed content that, yes, we were on our way to baby, + had gotten in contact with one of our regular midwifes, Bev, who had been on housecall. Aurelia put herself in the tub, while I was charged with making sure that didn’t slow the contractions. . . na, we added a new one in-between Around 4pm, Bev came in quiet as a mouse while ‘relia sang + Ohm’d her way through her contractions. I am on heavy footrubs + eyebrow smoothing patrol while the sun sets. Bev encourages Aurelia, seems like it’s happening so fast! Aurelia keeps her sense of humour through it all – “Too bad it’s not like champagne, eh?” + then a bit more singing, Bev is encouraging a big push, there’s a little head under the water! Then a long quiet moment as the next contraction builds, Bev says “Little push, now, little more. . .”

I cut the cord. “It’s a juicy one!” says Bev @_@ We’ve saved the placenta to plant under a new tree in Nanna Robyn’s garden.
Orlando is 8 pounds, 3 ounces + so soft!

Today we had a bath ^_^

+ then some more naps.

All in all, Aurelia’s labour lasted just 8 hours from POP! to BABY!, + ‘lando is perfect in every respect.
Thank you to everyone who sends their love – we are some happy campers! :sun:

…still no baby. He is playing hooky, or perhaps has already developed his Dadda’s “sleep late” philosophy. I am *huge*. Brian is in full blown couvade. We are both slowly going nutty! C’mon baby, we wants to squeeze you!

The wee man has until Wednesday week to come out with his hands up, or the midwife is getting out her crochet hook!

We did it! All moved in and cosy in our Brighton bungalow, just in time for the rainy weather. This is the first time in years I’ve had a tin roof to listen to the rain fall on. It’s so soothing… Most of the boxes are unpacked and the baby’s room is ready for his arrival – two weeks to go!

As you can see I’m not “small” any more. In fact, it’s all a bit too uncomfortable. Two weeks ago I would have done just about anything to get it over with, but we’ve found some balance again and I’m happy to wait – which is lucky as I still have one more week of work! What was I thinking??!

I would like to know who taught my son shadow-kick? :ninja: You have a lot to answer for! :muh:

It’s *very* nice to be back in Brighton, just around the corner from our big old place on Cambridge Terrace. Much to Brian’s utter horror the new owners of #15 have cut down the NZ Christmas tree – you remember, the tree that used to get full of parrots? They will be in for one windy winter without its protection. Our new house seems to have its fair share of native birds too, they like to congregate in the flowering gums. We have spent some delicious sunny afternoons on the picnic blanket in the back yard watching them play.

Sooty became very ill recently and scared all of us into getting ready to say goodbye. He lost his sonic woot! Luckily for us he’s now recovering from his liver troubles and is putting some fat back on to his bony bum, although the wooting may never be the same – perhaps that’s a blessing…

Last week must have been “we love the baby” week as Brian and I were absolutely smothered with new baby excitement in the form of overloaded boxes from his fans in the USA; and special visits from my Zia Roma (that’s Aunty Roma – my Dad’s little sister) and Mrs. Roy (my grandma Verna’s best friend). Thank you so much Zia, Jamiesan, Mrs. Roy and The Bornsteins! :bunny: As Mum says, we are going to have The Best Dressed Baby. Of course there will be an abundance of photographic evidence as soon as the model arrives.

Brian is occupied in the sun room – transforming it into our shared studio space. He has his paints out already, but if he wasn’t preoccupied I know he’d send his love…